Step and Stretch

The choreography was a bit easier than from the previous "Step Aerobic and Abdominal Workout", with reworked music from the video. The moves are simpler and are well shown to viewers so they see what they're supposed to do and can master it quickly. There are hard segments in the step routine, but the program is very effective and enjoyable. The stretch is excellent and really relaxing.

Instructor Comments: Jane leads only the stretch segment but does it with minimal confusion. She makes the moves simple and effective. The step portion is led by 4 instructors who really give you a workout. The 2 instructors who I mainly thought were good were Laurel and Linda. The other 2 were too flaky. They can be overlooked if you really get into the tape though.

I still do this one when I really want to just zone
out when I do aerobics. There's no tricky choreography,
no really funky dance steps, no big propulsion
lunge-squat things. Just relatively basic, low-impact
stepping. I like this one because of the music, (funky
but low-key) and three of the instructors are competent,
likable and fun. This is a good tape for beginners
because the instructors offer so many options- jump,
don't jump, step, no step- that exercisers at most any
level can find their niche to help them inprove and get
healthier. Also, the steps are basic and easy to follow-
good for beginners, the choreographically impaired and
people who've had a rough day or resistance workout and
just want to let it go with some fun, heart-pumping
aerobics that don't require a great deal of your body or
your brain. The only section Jane leads is the stretch.
It is relaxing and soothing, but I by far prefer the
stretch on her stress reduction tape. For me, I find it
loosens my muscles after a tough workout better than any
stretch tape out there. I do recommend this tape,
basically for beginners to intermediates who would like
an introduction to stepping. I recommend the stretch
segment for anyone who works and would like a longer,
deeper, more comprehensive stretch than the five minutes
that is offered at the end of most workouts.

An ever-changing cast of thousands.... to be fair,
this doesn't bother me. I like Michelle LeMay. She's
seems fun and funky and REAL. Linda McHugh and Jeff
Blahnik are also fine instructors, again real and
motivating. The worst one is Laurel. Everytime I've done
this video, I wanted to strangle her if she mentioned my
booty one more time. She seems the least professional to
me. Fortunately, she is balanced by the others. Overall,
they are a no-nonsense group, who keep the aerobics
moving and the energy high.

This tape is very similar to the step and abdominal tape
in that different instructors rotate teaching the
routines, and it is followed by a segment (stretching)
with Jane Fonda After doing this tape twice, I thought it
was okay, and this review sounded different before I
deleted a bunch of my old text! I must admit, I bought
this tape because I'm too chicken to buy Cathe
Friedrich. There were some moves that I had not done
before, so it seemed interesting. But, I did this video
again today, and geez, I was bored to tears. I never
thought I'd say that about a video, because when all I
had was her first step video and the Reebok Step, I used
to think I just liked simple moves, nothing complicated.
But I realized after doing Kari Andersons's Two the Max
I'd never experienced that feeling where you are working
so hard on the choreography, that the workout is just a
side effect, and before you know it, the workout is over
and you feel great. This morning I just kept thinking,
okay, we've done enough step-taps on this side, let's get
moving and try something else. Everything just seemed to
be repeated over and over again. I finished the video,
but I think it'll go into the exchange list. I think it's
a good intermediate video for someone that really just
wants basic choreography. The music is okay and the
instructors are okay. I think I've just gotten a small
taste of more advanced choreography, and want my mind
challenged as well as my body.

Jane's step videos are
good for a beginner, but not for the intermediate or
advanced. I am an advanced stepper, and this one did not
challenge me, and the moves bored me a little bit.
However, its an exellent video for the beginning stepper,
or if you don't have a lot of energy and want a light
day.

I always liked the first step
video Jane came out with and now I like this video even
better. You can increase or decrease the intensity of
your workout by raising or lowering the step. In this
video I always finish feeling pleasantly challenged and
not overworked. Indeed a total body workout.

This video is led by 4 of Janes's veteran instructors
which keep the routines fresh as they rotate throughout
the video. The music is upbeat and lively and with this
step video there isn't a routine I don't like. Cueing as
usual is right on target. The background is pleasant to
look at. The 4 instructors throughout the video offer
safety tips and constantly remind you of your breathing,
keeping your back straight, proper foot placement, and
drinking plenty of water before, during, and after your
workout.

The video ends with a 20 minute stretch. For me it's
not as good as I had hoped it to be. However I have never
done it consistently to make a valued judgement
concerning it.

Instructor Comments:
Jane actually only leads the
stretch portion of this workout. Three other instructors,
whose names I don't know, lead the step part. All exhibit
good form and are upbeat and motivating.

I bought this because I really liked Jane's Lower
Body Workout which is a step tape as well. However, I
don't like this one much at all. The music is a lot
different -- not as fun to dance to. And the choreography
is a little on the boring side. The stretch section is
adequate, but not as relaxing as I had hoped.

All things considered, I gave up on this one. It just
didn't seem worth my time.